Bohemian Spirit Designs jewelry from Terrina Russell-Cook captivates

Photo courtesy Terrina Russell-Cook

Artist Terrina Russell-Cook creates music and jewelry with equal ease. Her Bohemian Spirit Designs bring delight to jewelry lovers with her use of curves and movement, while her music belts out the blues with feelings from the soul.

Russell-Cook has been making jewelry since 1974, when she created puka shell necklaces and earrings to sell to tourists along Daytona Beach. Her love for “all things sparkly” began even earlier, as her late grandmother allowed the young Terrina free access to play in her jewelry box.

“I still get just as much of a thrill putting sparkly things together now as I did then,” she says with a laugh.

Many of her pieces hearken to her native American heritage. Her great-grandfather was a member of the Blackfoot tribe. Turquoise stones and traditional motifs honor his memory.

Other pieces feature swirling copper or silver, eliciting images of nature on the move. The evocative shapes have become something of a signature form for her. “For some reason I’m drawn to water and movement, so I try to incorporate as much of that in my work as possible,” Russell-Cook observes.

Although she has a great deal of experience with making jewelry, she continues to learn other techniques. Most recently, she took a course in metalworking from fellow artist Patricia Hart. Now she is expanding her skill set with repoussé, an ancient metalworking technique which involves pressing a relief design into softened metal from the reverse side.

Two outlets in New York and two in the south keep her busy with jewelry-making, but she still finds time to stand up for the creative community. She explains that what artists create has value as an original and takes hours of work. The end result may share some visual similarities with mass-produced products in Big Box stores but the quality of the handmade items soars far above the mundane.

Any conversation with Russell-Cook includes a great deal of humor and laughter. Her delight in life and her joy in her work shines through even serious discussions of technique or style. She admits to sometimes falling in love with a piece she has created and feeling a reluctance in parting with it.

Look for Terrina Russell-Cook’s work at Artists’ Galleries de Juneau in Olde Towne Slidell, LA. Her Bohemian Spirit Designs will inspire.

Originally appeared 6/8/2016 at http://www.examiner.com/article/bohemian-spirit-designs-jewelry-from-terrina-russell-cook-captivates

Lena Prima describes how to make jewelry with travel theme in new book

Lena Prima creates music for a living. She writes and performs it, part of her family legacy as the daughter of the late bandleader, Louis Prima. Music isn't her only creative outlet, however. She also creates beautiful handmade jewelry as part of her Pennies from Heaven company. Now Leisure Arts has published a book written by Prima on making jewelry as part of its reference line and she joins the ranks of authors who share their craft through do-it-yourself books.

In “Wanderlust,” Prima shares instructions for making jewelry pieces inspired by her own travels. Her love of fun jewelry carries over into her designs for bracelets, necklaces, charms and earrings. The jewelry making guide offers a series of travel-inspired pieces, with a background story, materials list and step-by-step instructions for each design.

With section titles such as “Seaside Memories,” “Music Festival,” “Road Trip” and “City Girl,” the wide range of flavors becomes apparent. There are two project themes under each section, and themes can include more than one piece of jewelry. For example, the Sparkling Sand project under “Seaside Memories” provides instructions for a necklace, bracelet and earrings.

Crafters of all skill levels will enjoy the volume. Prima’s designs allow novice jewelry makers to succeed because she uses readily available findings and the only tools required are two pair of chain-nosed pliers. The finished products look great, creating an environment of success to encourage the newbie.

More experienced crafters will find inspiration which they can easily adapt to more intricate projects, as well as thrifty designs which utilize every bit of the purchased pieces in interesting ways.

“Wanderlust” is available at Hobby Lobby and JoAnn stores and online at Amazon.com in both print and electronic formats.

Disclaimer: This review is based on a purchased copy of the book. All opinions are my own.

Originally appeared 5/14/2016 at http://www.examiner.com/review/lena-prima-describes-how-to-make-jewelry-with-travel-theme-new-book